Throughout the offseason, one of the things Auburn football head coach Hugh Freeze talks about most is keeping his team injury-free during preparation for the season. While the team must get in as much "real" practice as possible in the lead-up to the season, there are risks involved in giving 100 percent effort.
The Tigers' defense has had a particularly competitive time during fall camp with lots of guys vying for a starting spot and play time in the rotation. They've practiced and prepared, but the defense is ready to see what they can do in a real game scenario facing down true opponents.
"I'm ready to go out there and put it on film against somebody else," defensive tackle Malik Blocton said, per Auburn Undercover. "I want everybody to see this Auburn defense ain't nothing to be played with."
One of the players who is most excited to return to action is safety Champ Anthony, who missed several games last season after suffering a gruesome broken leg in last year's matchup with Arkansas. Anthony was a star player on the defense last year, but is prepared to have his best season yet in 2025.
"I have been thinking about this day since the day I got hurt," Anthony said, per Auburn Undercover. "When I was in the ambulance on the way to the hospital I was like 'I can't wait to come back and play.' I'm just glad it's a good opponent. I'm going to be able to test my stripes and test how hard I have been working.
"I'm way faster, way bigger, way stronger. It's going to suck for them, I'm not going to lie."
The Auburn football team will clash with the Baylor Bears this Friday at 7:00 p.m. Central Time in Waco, Texas.